The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they will play eight preseason games prior to their Oct. 31 season opener vs. San Antonio, highlighted by a road trip to Mexico City against the Orlando Magic and two home preseason games in New Orleans. The Hornets will play the Charlotte Bobcats in the New Orleans Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 9 and their final home preseason game will pit them against Southwest Division rival Houston Rockets on Wednesday, Oct. 24.

The Hornets begin the preseason south of the border in Mexico City for a contest against the Orlando Magic on Sunday, Oct. 7. NBA Mexico Game 2012 will showcase Hornets forward and 2012 Kia NBA Most Improved Player Ryan Anderson against his former team and six-time NBA All-Star Dwight Howard.

Following the trip to Mexico, New Orleans will meet the Charlotte Bobcats in the next two contests showcasing former University of Kentucky teammates and the top two NBA 2012 Draft picks, Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. The first game will be at New Orleans Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 9, while the second will be hosted by the Bobcats in a site to be announced next week on Thursday, Oct. 11.

Monty Williams and crew then continue their road trip with contests at the Houston Rockets (Oct. 12), Atlanta Hawks (Oct. 18) and Dallas Mavericks (Oct. 22), before returning home to face the Houston Rockets for the second and final home game of the preseason at New Orleans Arena on Wednesday, Oct. 24.